When rumors about DJ Phillips began spreading online, almost everyone believed them. The posts looked real. The account looked real. And for a while, DJ kept to himself about what was happening.
Full story --> Macomb County teen’s world upended by total stranger who hijacked his life, spread rumors online
That reaction makes sense, according to Carrie Krawiec, a licensed marriage and family therapist at Birmingham Maple Clinic. She said adolescence is a time when teens want to prove they can handle problems independently. Telling parents can feel like losing control.
But keeping something like cyberbullying to themselves puts teens at a disadvantage, because the longer a situation goes unaddressed, the more damage it can do, according to Krawiec.
Krawiec said online impersonation and cyberbullying quickly become emotional and scandalous, pulling in peers who may not stop to question what they see.
Teach teens to be skeptical, reporting early
Teaching skepticism, pausing before believing or sharing posts, is critical, even if it challenges how social media-driven society operates.
Reporting is another key step.
Peter Hoffman, an Ok2Say program specialist, said documenting impersonation or cyberbullying early creates a record that can help later.
Hoffman said that if someone is being impersonated online, they should report it to law enforcement so there’s documentation showing the posts aren’t theirs when trying to get them taken down.
Ok2Say received about 11,000 tips in 2025, Hoffman said, with nearly 20 percent involving bullying or cyberbullying.
He said that repeated reports each time the impersonation or cyberbullying occurs help establish patterns that can trigger investigations.
Checking devices, knowing how social media platforms work
Krawiec said random, non-invasive spot checks on devices can offer insight.
She also pointed to the “social economy” teens live in, where likes, follows and attention can fuel harmful behavior.
Finding balance is key.
Experts recommend starting conversations early, knowing which apps kids use, from disappearing-message platforms like Snapchat to online gaming, and understanding how those platforms work.
Krawiec said parents can also enlist trusted adults, babysitters, or older siblings kids see as “cool” to help keep an eye out.
Both Krawiec and Hoffman stressed removing the stigma around reporting. Shame often keeps teens silent.
Ok2Say offers confidential reporting and protects a student’s identity.
Hoffman and Krawiec hope that DJ sharing his story opens the door for other teens to speak up and reminds them they’re not alone.
You can watch the full roundtable discussion with Krawiec and Hoffman in the video at the top of this article.